Pedal to begin my love of pedals

TheShreddingE · #1 09-02-2009, 04:04 AM

I've decided to sell my ME-20B as it is quite frankly, crap. I thought it would be good to put the money and some more into buying some stomp boxes. I am looking for pedals that are reasonably affordable and useful. If you can tell me about some of the pedals you can't do without i'll be glad.

I don't really need overdrive or anything as i play funk and jazz mostly. I do like synths, especially the way Zender uses his. Also chorus and delay are cool. Another pedal i was considering was the Electro Harmonix Steel Leather. Attack is something i love!!!

Loopers and wah's are also something to look at. most of those boss pedals look alright.

So given my brief overview, what can you, my fellow bass player recommend?

M@ddest_H@tter! · #2 09-02-2009, 04:29 AM

A chorus pedal is always good.....Boss....Digitech..T-Rex....Artec...Behringer...Analog Man....the list is endless.....

Oh yeah......there is a search button to with a wealth of information on just about every effect out there.

and I think that if you ask Mystic Boo, he can probably tell you about the ones that haven't even been invented yet.

....really....

McSpunckle · #3 09-02-2009, 04:30 AM

For cheap pedals that make really cool sounds, I love the Ibanez 7 (Tone-Lok) series. The DE-7 is a fantastic delay, and the PM-7 is probably my favourite of all the modulation pedals I've played. They're not cheesy, digital modeling pedals either. (Ok, there are some good modelling pedals out there).

I don't really like Boss pedals, honestly. For chorus, I've heard great tones come from the CE-5 pedals, though. The EHX Small Clone is very warm and thick (as is the Clone Theory).

The only wahs I've used on bass are the Dunlop 105Q and original Crybabys (an '80s one, and a newer model). The 105Q is way thick, but I don't like wahs for funk. I prefer envelope filters--- which brings me to the EHX Q Tron. Great pedal. Can't speak for the smaller versions, but the big box version I had sounded fantastic. That "mix" mode is incredible for bass.

I'd just list pedals I use, but I'm a noise/electronica style player, generally... so they'd be of very little use to you.

M@ddest_H@tter! · #4 09-02-2009, 04:30 AM

Also...you might look into a good preamp with the ability to blend just a smidgen of distortion with your dry signal.

Sansamp Vt
Tech 21 XXL
MXR M80 (which I own and absolutely love)

to name some of the ones that get mad love here on TB

Floridabwoy · #5 09-02-2009, 06:51 AM

Vt Bass / Big Muff.

pbd · #6 09-02-2009, 06:52 AM

How about a compressor? Very useful, can give you some punch and help you cut through the mix.

Todd

crapusername · #7 09-02-2009, 08:34 AM

the steel leather will get you a cool edge to your sound if you set it right, however you do sacrifice a small amount of bottom end IME.
the enigma q balls seems to be getting a lot of props here abouts too. i have a micro Q tron though, and love it.
some one above mentioned the big muff, but it might be more useful to you to try the bass big muff. aside from all the fuzzy goodness contained therein, it does feature a dry mode which sends your clean signal through un touched, but allows to add as much or little fuzz as you like on top of the original sound. i use mine for a little hair on top of my sound - sounds great
delay wise - try the marshall echohead. here it sells for half of the price of the dd6, and has more features available including analog mode, and tap tempo. a great pedal for the money.

BassJunkie730 · #8 09-02-2009, 08:39 AM

Get an envelope filter and just watch your sickness grow.

There are a bunch of 3Leaf groove regulators in the classifieds.

It's a great time to lay down about $150 for a fantastic, musical pedal that will get you well on your way to being a junkie.

Smurf-o-Deth · #9 09-02-2009, 10:47 AM

I'd personally recommend the EBS BassIQ as an envelope follower you should consider. It's small, easy to use, extremely versatile and pops up around here regularly for $125 or less. Daddy like.

warwick.hoy · #10 09-02-2009, 12:12 PM

Don't underestimate the power of the Fuzz. Used correctly it can provide some synthy sounds that would be right at home in some funk applications.

RFord04 · #11 09-02-2009, 12:25 PM

You can find an EHX Bass Microsynth on the classifieds here for about $170, and it's well worth it for a first step in to pedals that are great for funk. You said you like synths, and this one is great for the price, as long as all the sliders don't scare you (it's actually quite simple to use, just watch a video review on youtube). With enough experience, you can use this pedal as a fuzz, octaver, volume swell, and envelope filter. Very fun and useful for funk.

RickenBoogie · #12 09-02-2009, 12:33 PM

Electro Harmonix makes a wide range of unique and cool effects, and priced pretty well too. Not a bad idea to start off with a handfull of their stuff, and they don't have to be bass specific either. The "bass" pedals that are most important are overdrives, and distortions, (to retain your low end), but stuff like modulation, filters, and such will work with the bass, no prob. They even make a $40 pedal bag/board that's also a good starter unit. Have fun, and watch your money go.

Nikoubis · #13 09-02-2009, 12:38 PM

What you really need is a Gonkulator.

thefruitfarmer · #14 09-02-2009, 01:49 PM

Boss ce-5

foomanfat · #15 09-02-2009, 02:23 PM

Bass Big Muff Pi was my first pedal and now I can't live without it.

Bassman203 · #16 09-02-2009, 03:19 PM

My personal favorites:
That I have...
MXR Carbon Copy (Analog Delay)
Dunlop 105q (Bass Wah)
ZVEX Woolly Mammoth (Fuzz)
EHX Bassballs (Envelope Filter)
Boss ODB-3 (Over Drive)

Pedals that I really want...
EHX Bass Microsynth (Synth/Octaver)
EHX POG 2 (Octaver)
EHX Q-Balls (Envelope Filter)
EHX Stereo Pulsar (Tremolo)
Devi Ever Eye of God (feedback loop)

M@ddest_H@tter! · #17 09-02-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by foomanfat

Bass Big Muff Pi was my first pedal and now I can't live without it.

wish I never sold mine

JimmyM · #18 09-02-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheShreddingE

I've decided to sell my ME-20B as it is quite frankly, crap.

Good salesmanship.

Sav'nBass · #19 09-03-2009, 05:38 AM

I just ordered a Zoom B2u.1 for $140.. I am not a pedal kinda guy.. but I had a real bad case of gas and some money burning a hole in my pocket.. I wanted a compressor actually.. then it just .. mushroomed.. I figure it will probably take me a few weeks to really dive into this thing with my schedule and all.. at least..